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Ranieri compares lightning Leicester stars to RAF

Date published: Thursday 17th September 2015 3:04

Claudio Ranieri has compared his Leicester attack to the RAF, and hopes his bribe of pizza and a hot dog can help his defence keep a clean sheet.

The Italian has overseen an excellent start to the Premier League season for the Foxes since his appointment in the summer, with three victories and two draws seeing them unbeaten in their opening five games.

Only Manchester City boast a finer record thus far, with the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy, Marc Albrighton and Nathan Dyer forming a fearsome frontline – perhaps the fastest in the league.

Speaking ahead of Leicester’s upcoming game with Stoke on Saturday, Ranieri was full of praise for his flying Foxes.

“My team is like the RAF….beep, beep, beep, I love it,” he said.

It appears that Ranieri’s comparison is not too far off the mark, however.

Leicester players have recorded the three fastest individual speeds so far this season, with England forward Vardy featuring twice in the top 10.

Top 10 fastest speeds clocked this season

1. Jamie Vardy (Leicester) 35.44 km/h vs. West Ham

2. Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester) 35.26 km/h vs. Bournemouth

3. Marc Albrighton (Leicester) 35.00 km/h vs. Bournemouth

4. Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City) 34.97 km/h vs. Norwich

5. Jamie Vardy (Leicester) 34.95 km/h vs. Bournemouth

6. Carl Jenkinson (West Ham) 34.89km/h vs. Leicester

7. Carl Jenkinson (West Ham) 34.80km/h vs. Bournemouth

8. Wes Morgan (Leicester) 34.76 km/h vs. Bournemouth

9. Cedric Soares (Southampton) 34.74 km/h vs. Watford

10. Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City) 34.71 km/h vs. Tottenham

Despite their impressive start, Leicester are yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet this season, but Ranieri believes he has found the perfect incentive for his side.

“I told them, if you keep a clean sheet, I’ll buy pizza for everybody. I think they’re waiting for me to offer a hot dog too!”

Ranieri also previewed the clash with winless Stoke, and says that despite their lofty placing of second, the Foxes will not get carried away this season.

“At the moment there are no injuries. Nathan Dyer is OK and everyone is fine to play on Saturday.

“They haven’t won yet but Stoke are a good team with quality players and a good manager. We must beware.

“On Sunday [in win vs. Aston Villa] the players were great because they weren’t helping themselves, they were helping each other.

“I have a good relationship and I respect everybody. Life is short so it’s important to live well.

“When you want to build something, the Club is important. Everybody in the club works together. That’s the secret at Leicester.

“I want the maximum, in every match. For us it’s important to take points now when we play well.

“We must concentrate and keep our feet on the ground. A defeat is always just around the corner.”